There are 5 ways to get from Santa Monica to Lake Forest by tram, train, bus, car, or bus (Amtrak)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Tram, train
best- Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Linestram Metro E Line
- Take the train from Los Angeles to Irvinetrain Pacific Surfliner
2h 52m$18–33Drive 59.3 mi
cheapest- Drive from Santa Monica to Lake Forestcar 59.3 mi
1h 4m$11–16Line 33 bus, train via Cesar E Chavez / Alameda
- Take the bus from 5th / Santa Monica to Cesar E Chavez / Alamedabus 33
- Take the train from Los Angeles to Irvinetrain Pacific Surfliner
3h 31m$16–31Line 33 bus, train
- Take the bus from 5th / Santa Monica to Patsaouras Transit Plazabus 33
- Take the train from L.A. Union Station to Irvinetrain OC Line
3h 46m$11–15Line 33 bus, bus
- Take the bus from 2nd / Broadway to Cesar E Chavez / Alamedabus 33
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to Irvinebus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
3h 55m$18–25
Santa Monica to Lake Forest by tram, subway, and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Monica to Lake Forest is to line 33 bus and train which costs $10 - $15 and takes 3h 46m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Monica to Lake Forest is to drive which takes 1h 4m and costs $10 - $16.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Monica to Lake Forest. However, there are services departing from 2nd / Broadway and arriving at Irvine via Los Angeles. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 55m.
No, there is no direct train from Santa Monica station to Lake Forest. However, there are services departing from Downtown Santa Monica Station and arriving at Irvine via 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro B & D Lines and Los Angeles. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2h 52m.
The distance between Santa Monica and Lake Forest is 62 miles. The road distance is 59.6 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Monica to Lake Forest without a car is to tram and train which takes 2h 52m and costs $17 - $35.
It takes approximately 2h 52m to get from Santa Monica to Lake Forest, including transfers.
Santa Monica to Lake Forest bus services, operated by Metro Los Angeles, depart from 2nd / Broadway station.
Santa Monica to Lake Forest train services, operated by Metro Los Angeles, depart from Downtown Santa Monica Station.
Santa Monica to Lake Forest bus services, operated by Metro Los Angeles, arrive at Cesar E Chavez / Alameda station.
What companies run services between Santa Monica, CA, USA and Lake Forest, Orange County, CA, USA?
You can take a bus from 2nd / Broadway to Irvine via Cesar E Chavez / Alameda and Los Angeles in around 3h 55m.
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- [email protected]
- Website
- metro.net
Tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Los Angeles to Irvine
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 1m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $14–29
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Los Angeles to Irvine
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 1m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $14–29
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- (800) 371-LINK (5465)
- Website
- metrolinktrains.com
Train from L.A. Union Station to Irvine
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 8m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $9–13
- Website
- https://metrolinktrains.com
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- [email protected]
- Website
- metro.net
Bus from 5th / Santa Monica to Cesar E Chavez / Alameda
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
Bus from 5th / Santa Monica to Patsaouras Transit Plaza
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
Bus from 2nd / Broadway to Cesar E Chavez / Alameda
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from Los Angeles to Irvine
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–23
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
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More Questions & Answers
Santa Monica to Lake Forest train services, operated by Metro Los Angeles, arrive at 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Monica to Lake Forest is 60 miles. It takes approximately 1h 4m to drive from Santa Monica to Lake Forest.
There are 1013+ hotels available in Lake Forest.











